Rolling mill



G. Ll FISK ROLLING MILL May 28, 1935.

7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1931 wm u 0200mm JJOK U20 INVENTOR M MI RWOnxMJ UKIEJWW May 28, 1935. L, 5 j 2,002,531

ROLLING MILL Filed May 5, 931 7.Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR G. L. FISK ROLLING MILL May 28, 1935.

Filed May 5, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR G. L. FISK ROLLING MILL May 28, 1-935.

7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 5, 1951 INVENTOR j W ww ww mw May 28, 1935. G. L. FISK 2,002,531

' ROLLING MILL Filed May 5, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ml E Q May 28, 1935. G K v 2,002,531

ROLLING MILL Filed May 5, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 May 28, 1935.

G. L. FISK ROLLING MILL Filed May 5, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR Patented May 28, 1935 ROLLING Minn Gustaf 1.. Fisk, Pittsburgh, 1%., assignor to Meats Machine Company, Homestead, Pa a ration of Pennsylvania corpo- Application May 5, 1931, Serial No. 535,169

1 Claim.

The present invention relates broadly to the art of metal working, and more particularly to improved rolling adapted for effecting the desiredmetal working operations.

In the ordinary rolling of small sections, such for example as square bars, it is customary to pass a billet or bar of the desired cross sectional area through a series of stands and turn the bar through an angle of 90 intermediateadjaccnt stands. Thus, for example in the case of a square, as before referred to, there is utilized a billet or bar of square cross section which is initially fed to the first roll pass with its diagonal axes parallel to, vertical and horizontal planes respectively. The first roll pass effects pressure in the vertical direction on the billet or bar, transforming it into a diamond shaped section. This is turned through 90 andfed to the second pass with its major axis in a vertical direction. This pass transforms the bar into a square section which passes to the succeeding mill which eflects an operation similar to that referred to in connection'with the first roll pass. This operation is repeated as many times as required to reduce the bar to the desired area.

The turning operation just described is ordinarily accomplished by utilizing a twisting guide on the exit side of the rolls. which guide is commonly in the form of a helical tube fitted closely around the bar, with the pitch of the helix such as to turn the bar through 90. intermediate the stands. As the bar is forced through the guide, it assumes the shape of the guide, and enters the rolls of the succeeding roll stand in the desired position.- I

For many purposes, and for many kinds of metal, such a method of 'rolling is entirely satisfactory. For other purposes and other kinds of metal, however, the method is not satisfactory.

As the bar is forced through the twisting guides, the working surfaces of the guides are apt to scratch the bar surfaces, and the twisting actionv This is accomplished by utilizing a rolling mill in which the stands are arranged. in tandem, with alternate stands provided respectively with horizontal and vertical rolls. By thus changing the plane of the roll axes, the necessity of turningthe material is obviated. More particularly, the invention has relation to an improved type of mill for use in this respect, and especially one in which the rolls have vertical axes. 1

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a method of rolling employing alternate stands having horizontal and vertical rolls, requires mill structures such that the passes in adjacent roll stands may be maintained in alinement one with the other.

In accordance with the present invention, provision is made for adjusting the vertical rolls bodily in a'lateral direction subs ntially normal to the rolling axis in a substan ally horizontal plane andalso in a vertical plane. These two 10 main adjustments enable the pass between the vertical rolls to be properly alined both horizontally and vertically with the pass between the horizontal rolls. The invention further contemplates means for individually adjusting one of the vertical'rolls toward and from the other to accommodate rolls of different diameters and compensate for roll wear, and means 'for adjusting one of the rolls inan axial direction relative to the other to insure properalinement of the, grooves in the two rolls. j

In the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a mill constructed in accordance with the present invention. In the drawings: I

Figure l is a diagrammatic view illustrating one relationship of the rolls of adjacent mills and also illustrating the progressive changes in the cross sectional characteristics of the billet or bar being rolled;

Figure 2 is a front 'elevational view, partly in section, of a mill constructed in'accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the mill illustrated in Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line IV--IV of Figure 2, looking in the direction: 7 of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a detail view, partly in elevation and partly in section, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the mill rolls and a portion of their 40 adjusting means;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view along the line VI-VI of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 7 is a front elevational view, partly 4 broken away and partly in section, of the lower portion of the mill stand, showing parts of the mill which are broken away from the mill as it is illustrated in Figure 2; and

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the mill stand:

A mill constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises certain main parts which will be first briefly referred to for purposes of ageneral'understanding; These parts comprise a base 2 in the form of bed plates or girders adapted to be bolted to a suitable foundation by means of bolts 3. Carried by the base is a main housing I having offsets 5 adapted to overlie the bed plates and rest thereon. Vertic 1 adjustable in the housing 4 is a roll frame .6 in which are journaled the vertical rolls l and 6. I

In Figure 1 of the drawings there are shown arrows Q9 indicative of a transverse adjustment of the rolls I and 8. This transverse adjustment is for the purpose of bringing a pass l0 formed by the rolls I and 6 into the desired horizontal alinement with a pass It formed by horizontal rolls l2 on one side thereof and a similar pass 0 I4 formed by horizontal rolls on the opposite side. Forv accomplishing this adjustment, it will be apparent that it is necessary to move the housing 4 in one direction or the other along the bed plate 2. Normally such movement is pre- 5 vented by providing the offsets 5, before referred to, with,, lugs l6 provided. with elongated bolt openings II, as illustrated in Figure 8 adapted to-receive bolts l6, by means of which the housing may be bolted in position on the base. By 0 looseningthese bolts, the housing is free to slide along the base. To facilitate this sliding movement, and more accurately support the housing in position, the 'bed plates are preferably formed with vertically extending machined surfaces l9 5- and horizontally disposed similar surfaces which cooperate with corresponding surfaces on the housing, the surfaces forming a sliding and positioning fit.

' The bolts l6 having been loosened, the housing is free for adjustment in one direction or the other along the bed plate as indicated by the arrows 9 in Figure 1. This adjustment is accomplished by providing each of the bed plates with an internally threaded nut 2|, as illustreated more particularly in Figures 7 and 8,

adapted to cooperate with screws 22. These \screws are journaled in suitable bearings 23 in extensions 24 on the housing 4, and are formed the journal bearings 23. Secured to the screws, within suitable housings 21, are worm wheels 26 with which mesh worms 29 on a worm shaft with a pinion 32 on the armature shaft of a housing adjusting 1 1101301 33. This motor is of the reversibletype and upon operation is efiective for turning thescrews 22 in one direction or the other. This turning movement is eflective for sliding the housing bodily in one direction or the other alongthe base 2- to the extent desired. Thereafter, the motor 33 is deenergized, and the bolts l6 again tightened. If desired, the 'worm shaft may be provided with a hand wheel 36. by means of which ahand adjustment of the housing may be obtained.

The adjustment just described is obviously efiective for' moving the housing bodily in a transverse horizontal plane adapted to properly aline the meeting plane of the rolls 1 and 8 relatively to. the passes and I6.

In addition to. effecting a bodily horizontal adjustment, of the character referred to, it may also. be desired to effect a bodily vertical adjustment of the rolls 1 and 6,'for similar reasons. This vertical adjustment is accomplished by vertical movement of the frame 6 within the housing 6. By reference more particularly to Figure 4 .of the drawings, it will be noted that the frame 6 extends transversely between the side members constituting the housing 6 and is provided with recesses or guideways 36 cooperating with guides 36 formed on the housing. The frame 6 is normally held in adjusted position by means of set screws 31 (Figure 3) extending through the i with thrust collars 26 and 26 on opposite sides of 30. This worm shaft carries a gear 3| meshing housing and engaging the-frame, and provided with lock nuts 38. By loosening these look nuts and set screws, the frame 6 is free to move in a vertical direction within the.housing. Such a vertical movement is accomplished by. supporting the frame 6 on adjusting screws 39, one of these adjusting screws lying in the plane of each of the side members of the housing 8..

Each of the screws extends into' a nut 40 having thrust bearings 4i and provided with a worm wheel 42. These worm wheels mesh with worms .43 on a worm shaft 44 adapted to be driven by motor is likewise of reversible type, and upon? energization, is eflfective for either. raising or lowering the screws 39 and therebycorrespondingly raising or lowering the frame 6. "The frame. having been adjusted to the desired position, the motor is deenergized, and the set screws 31 adjusted for locking the frame in position.

The two operations before described are eiliective for bringing the meeting plane of the rolls I and 6 into the desired relationship with respect to the passes it and I6 and bringing the pass l0 into the desired verticalposition. It may well be, however, that even-with these-two adjustments the grooves in the respective rolls 1 and 8 are not properly alined in a vertical direction, one with respect to the other, or. that the rolls 1 and 6 are either'too close together; or too widely separated, to permit of t a proper. rolling operation. Means must therefore bepro vided for effecting relative vertical adjustmentbetween the rolls 1 and 6,as well as relative, lateral adjustment therebetween. The mounting of the rolls, and the adjusting means whereby such adjustments-are effected, will now be described.

By reference more particularly to Figures 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings it will be apparent that the frame 6 includes upper transversely extend: ing members 61 .and similar lower members 46. The relationship of the members 41 is illustrated in detail in Figure 4, the members 48 being similarly disposed. Between the members 41 is an upper bearing cage 46 for the upper roll neck 50 of the roll I. This bearing cage is provided with a bearing 5| in which the roll neck-ls jour.- naled, the construction, of the roll neck and bearing being, such that jthebea'ring cage. is effective for carrying the weight of the, roll I.

Mounted between the members 48 is abearing cage 52 carrying a bearing 53 for the lower roll neck 56 of the roll I. For-supporting the bearing cage 69, and thusthe roll 1, ..g d the lower bearing cage 62, the members-l1 of the frame 6 car-y wedges 56 which are movable by means of screws 66 provided with; worm wheels 51 on their outer ends adapted to be rotated by worms 66 on a worm shaft 39 By turning the worm shaft-in one direction or the other, the wedges may be moved to the right, as viewed in Figure 5, for lowering thebearing cages 46, or to the left as viewed in this figure for raising such cages. The .desired vertical position having been obtained, the cage is clamped in such position by means of suitable clamps 66.

For backing up the cages 66 and 52, the frame engaged bolts 63 the outer ends of whichare surrounded by springs 66 and engaged by. 'nut s 66. By tightening the nuts .66 ,as wilLbe apparent more particularly from Figure 5, the compression on the springs 64 may be increased, and the cages 49 and 52 held more tightly in engagement with the abutments 6|.

Also mounted between the members 41 is a bearing cage or chuck 86 for the upper roll neck 81 of the roll 8, this bearing cage being generally similar to the bearing cage 48 before described, with the exception that it is not mounted for independent'vertical adjustment. Carried between the members 48 is a similar bearing cage for the lower roll neck of the roll 8. While it is not desirable to adjust the roll 8 vertically relative'to the roll 1, it is desirable to adjust either or both ends of this roll laterally relative to the roll I to thereby adjust the rolls or to compensate for rolls of different diameters or for roll wear. .This is accomplished by means of jack screws 68 effective for forcing the roll 8 to the left as viewed in Figure 4 and thereby more closely into engagement with the roll I. The bearing cages for the roll 8 are maintained in engagement with the jack screws 88 by means of holding bolts 69, illustrated in detail in Figure 6, carried by the upper members 41 and likewise by the lower members 48 of the frame 6. These holding bolts are surrounded by springs III at their outer ends and carry nuts H by means of which the degree of compression exerted on the springs may be varied, and the bearing cages for the roll 8 thereby effectively maintained in engagement with the jack screws 58.

From the foregoing detail description, it will be apparent that the roll I may be adjusted vertically relative to the roll 8, and the roll 8 adjusted laterally relative to the roll I, these two adjustments being in addition to the vertical adjustment of the two rolls simultaneously by means of the frame 6, and their adjustment laterally through the medium of the movable housing 4.

In order to effect driving of the rolls 1 and 8, adjustable driving mechanism must necessarily be provided capable of following either the simultaneous or the individual adjustment of the rolls. Such a driving is obtained by means of a main driving motor 12 connected to a drive shaft 13 through the medium of a coupling 14. The main drive motor 12 mounted on the foundation which carries the base 2, and is therefore immovable. The drive shaft I3, however, is in sliding and driving engagement with a driving gear 15 having a combination thrust and journal bearing 16 in the housing 4. Adjacent its opposite end it is similarly operatively mounted within a journal bearing l1 also carried by the housing 4. The housing is thus free to slide axially of the drive shaft 13 under the influence of the housing adjusting motor 33, as before described.

The gear 15 meshes with a gear 18 carried by the lower end of a shaft 18 having upper and lower journal bearings 88 in the housing 4, one

of which will also be effective as a thrust bearing. Carried by the shaft 18 is a gear 8| which meshes with a gear 82 on a vertical shaft 83. The gear 82 in turn meshes with a similar gear 84 on a vertical shaft 85. The gears 82 and 84 have suitable upper and lower bearings 88 in the housing 4, and are both in sliding and driving engagement with their respective shafts 83,

and 85 to permit relative axial movement between the shafts and such gears. These shafts at their upper ends are journaled and vertically supported in bearings 81 in a cross-head 88 vertically slidable in the housing 4 on suitable ways 89. For effecting such vertical adjustment of the cross-head simultaneously with the adjustment of the frame 8, the cross-head is carried from such frame through the medium of rods 98. Connecting the shafts 83 and 85 to the rolls 1 and 8 respectively are spindles SI and 92 of any desired construction effective for permitting adjustment of the character before referred to.

I have hereinbefore described a mill of the vertical type particularly adaptable for use in combination with horizontal rolling mills. It is to be understood, however, that the utility of the invention is'not limited with respect to the use to which the improved mill is placed, such a mill being useful in many cases for rolling purposes wherein accurate adjustment of the rolls in a transverse and vertical direction simultaneously and in a transverse and vertical direction relatively one to the other is desirable.

Heretofore reference has only been made to a single pass ID in the vertical rolls and to single passes H and H in the horizontal rolls. By reference, however, to Figure 1 of the drawings, it will be noted that the horizontal rolls I! are illustrated as formed with additional passes H' and H", while the horizontal rolls I are similarly shown as provided with additional passes l4 and I4" By reference to Figures 2, 3 and 5, it will likewise be noted that the vertical rolls are formed with a series of passes III in addition to the pass ID. This illustrates and describes more nearly a commercial condition. Each set of rolls is customarily provided with a series of passes, all of which may be of different sizes, or which may be arranged in groups with two or more passes of the same size in each group. Where the passes are of different sizes, adjustment is required in order to bring the various passes in the different rolls into proper rolling alinement. Where they are of the same size, adjustment of the character before referred to is essential for utilizing a new pass when a previously used pass has been worn to suchan extent that dressing is required.

The advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings forming a part hereof.

While I have described and illustrated, for purposes of a complete understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that changes in the construction, operation and use of the mill may be made without departing either from the spirit of the present invention or the scope of my broader claim.

I claim:

able therein, a bearing chuck seated in said frame, and means for yieldingly holding the chuck in its seat comprising a clevis formed on the chuck, an eye-bolt extending outwardly of the frame and pinned to the clevis, and a spring for urging said eye-bolt longitudinally. I

GUSTAF L. FISK.

In a rolling mill, a housing, a frame adjust 

